Bulawayo Agenda planned to hold soccer tournaments in Nkayi, Tsholotsho and Lupane after discussing the constitutional writing process with villagers. The organisation wanted to educate the villagers on how to evaluate a good constitution ahead of the referendum.
The tournament was set to feature teams from the major political parties: Zanu PF, Zapu, MDC-T, MDC and the parliamentary constitutional committee (Copac).
But police reportedly told the organisers that such tournaments were likely to result in violence between players from losing teams. Busani Ncube, Bulawayo Agenda’s programmes officer said they were disappointed by the police action.“Bulawayo Agenda is disappointed because it seems the police want an ignorant society regarding the country’s constitution.
“If the police was going to educate the villagers that would be fine, but the fact is that they do not have the capacity to conduct such a programme,” Ncube said.
Bulawayo Agenda is a civil organisation that provides an apolitical platform for people to express their views and debate on matters that affect their lives. “We have now planned to print fliers with information on the country’s constitution which we will distribute in Nkayi, Tsholotsho and Lupane since police will not allow us to meet villagers,” Ncube said.
No comment could be obtained from the Matabeleland North acting police spokesperson, Sergeant Eglon Nkala last week.
